play up

English

Pronunciation

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Verb

play up (third-person singular simple present plays up, present participle playing up, simple past and past participle played up)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see play,‎ up.

   Our school team is playing up at the old recreation ground.

2. (British, idiomatic) To misbehave.

   Synonym: act up

   Children who do not receive enough attention may begin to play up.

   The radar system is playing up again.

3. (transitive) To make or attempt to make something appear more important, likely, or obvious; to showcase or highlight.

   Antonym: play down

   For the audition, Nicole will play up her skill as a pianist by playing Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by Bach.

4. (intransitive) To play (e.g. sport or music) more vigorously.

   I can't hear the ukuleles at the back. Play up please!

   • 1892, Henry Newbolt, Vitaï Lampada:

     And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,
     Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,
     But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote —
     'Play up! play up! and play the game!'

5. (transitive, slang) To be unfaithful to a lover; to cheat; used with on.
   • 1997, Melissa Lucashenko, Steam Pigs, page 176:

     […] the young fulla Jack'd brought along looked like he might suit in an emergency, and what the fuck, Jack'd already said she weren't interested. Serve Rog right if she played up on him.

   • 2013, Ross W. Nielsen, The South American Coffee Shop Chronicles, page 123:

     'Would you ever play up on me given the chance?' asked Stacy.
     'Never, why?' asked William.
     […] 'Oh! Just when I was younger, I had a few guys take me out and when I didn't put out in the first week, it was the last I would see of them,' explained Stacy.

Translations

to misbehave — see also act up,‎ misbehave

• Maori: haututū